Too abstract and bizarre to make any sense. The best thing about this book is the artwork, which paints a surreal portrait of this dark and dreary world. Unfortunately, the story suffers. The characters lack the kind of depth expected in a story so glum and tragic. I should feel for their situati...
Kevin Baker is quickly altering the landscape of American historical fiction. His first novel, Dreamland, burst into flames three years ago — a hypnotic portrayal of Coney Island designed to parallel the chaotic city of New York in 1911. His latest, Paradise Alley, stays on Manhattan, but it move...
Strivers Row is the third of Baker's City of Fire trilogy. The earlier books are Dreamland and Paradise Alley. All take place in New York City. Strivers Row is a neighborhood housing upper and middle class Negro families including the Doves. Milton Dove, the father of Jonah and father-in-law ...
“Tonight’s the night!” he exulted to the men waiting around his table before he had even sat down. It was after three A.M., but it was still hot and humid as midday inside the Metropole, the giant electrical ceiling fans doing little more than pushing the hot air around, t...